7:1 A good name is better than a good ointment, And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.
7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting; inasmuch as that is the end of all men: and let the living lay it to his heart.
7:3 Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better and gains gladness.
7:4 The heart of the wise is in the House of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the House of pleasure.
7:5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
7:6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is hevel (vanity).
7:7 Surely oppression and extortion make a wise man foolish, and a bribe destroys the understanding and judgment.
7:8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
7:9 Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the bosom of fools.
7:10 Do not say, "Why were the former days better than these?" For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.
7:11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
7:12 For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it.
7:13 Consider the work of Elohim (אלהים): for who can make that straight, which he has made crooked?
7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Elohim (אלהים) also has set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
7:15 I have seen everything in my days of hevel (vanity): There is a just man who perishes in his tzedek , And there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.
7:16 Be not tzaddik over much; neither make yourself over wise: why should you destroy yourself?
7:17 Be not over much wicked, neither be you foolish: why should you die before your time?
7:18 It is good that you should take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not your hand: for he that fears Elohim (אלהים) shall come forth of them all.
7:19 Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
7:20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good And does not sin.
7:21 Also do not take to heart everything people say, Lest you hear your servant cursing you.
7:22 For oftentimes also your own heart knows that you yourself likewise hast cursed others.
7:23 All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
7:24 That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
7:25 I applied my heart to know, To search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, To know the wickedness of folly, Even of foolishness and madness.
7:26 And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleases Elohim (אלהים) shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
7:27 Hinnei, this have I found, said the teacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
7:28 which my soul sought after, but I found not; for I have found one man of a thousand; but a woman in all these I have not found.
7:29 "Behold, I have found only this, that Elohim (אלהים) made men upright, but they have sought out many devices."